Windmill



Feb. 23 1926. n 1,574,171

J. T. RYAN` `l WINDMILL Filed April 2, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 I /f F134. f fr y 24 o l o o o o/ gz o o o o o 7,/ noo o o i M if f i 43 i 20 f L :'75 l Jl g I ,l 1 4 l? :I 45 i9 l? 0 i7 44 I 5 I l i l I y iL L l l *d wmf fw al. mash g5 M 4 f/f l l JZ f V wuantoz f JmwZya/w 40 l Feb. 23 1926. 1,574,171

J. T. RYAN v WINDMILL Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

UNITED A STATES JAMES T, RYAN, 0F FBANKFORT, KENTUCKY. v

WINDMILL.

Application led April 2,

To all whom t may concer/n. y

Be it known that I, JAMES T. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frankfort, in the county of Franklin and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in W'indmills, of which the following is a specification.v

The invention relates to `windmills, fand has as an object the `provision of a windmill having a rotor with flexible'blades that will vary Itheir curvature at various stages of rotation, so as to provide the most efficient curvature at each stage. Y.

t A furtherobject of the invention is the provision of a rotor having flexibler blades and means to adjust the amount of slack for the blades. Y l

A further object of the invention is the provision of arrotor having a windshield and a deflector of an improved form'adapted to coact with the particular .form `of blades ofthe rotor to the best advantage.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- A f Fig'. 1 is a detail vertical section broken away in order to shorten the view.

Fig. 2 is horizontal vsection on line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, and y Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal section von line 3,3, of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, there is shown a vertical hollow shaft k10 which is supported in a frame having upper transverse members' 11, in the manner shown in `my Patent No. 1,523,295, granted Jan. 13, 1925, windmill,.and also in my copending application 689,395, filed February 1, 1924, windmill lubricating system. The hollow `shaft 10 is adapted 4to be revolved by :the rotor and to drive `anydesired machinery in the manner illustrated in p the co-pending applications referred to. Carried by the lower transverse frame members 12, there isrshown a wind shield and deflector element supported by means of arms 13 .upon a thrust bearing 14. The arms 13, which are provided in any desirablenuniber, are shown asbolted or riveted to a hub member 15 containing one portion of the thrust bearing vand the oil ductsprovided by the last named co-pending application above referred to.

The shieldi and deflector, elements com prise an arcuateshield 16, Fig. 2, and a detlector @learnt 17, which elements are shown -to be 1924. Serial No. 703,691.

as carried by the spider provided by the y arms 13. The upper ends of the elements 16 and 17 are connected to and support a conicalrrain shield 18, and from the caves vof the rain shield and the upper end 0f the elements 16, 17, spider arms 19 are shown as projecting and as secured to a disk-like 'hub member 20.

n An oil shield 21 is shown as enclosing governing elements adapted to contrellthe movements of a vane 22, all as described in my co-pending-applications above referred to, Valthough inthe present instance a single intermediate gearing 23 is shown instead of two such gears, as shown in the other applications. The shield 13 terminates in a conical member 24, preferably of cast materiah `which provides a bearing against the upper frame 25. a radial bearing 26 being supplied for the upper end of the shaft 10. y

As shown, the frame of the rotor is formed of upper spider arms 27, and lower spider arms 28. The upper spider arms are .shown as connected to a hub member 29 having ataperedthreaded portion which may be split and contract-ed against the shaft 10 by means of a tapered thread and nut 31. A bearing fory the spider 19 is shown at 32 'to avoid friction which might be caused by the relative rotation between the spiders 27 and 1.9. YThe arms 28 are shown as secured to a hub member 33 also secured to the shaft 10 by means of a tapered thread and nut 34C. An intermediate spider and-hub isshown at but it is understood that Vthis intermediate is representative of any number spider n it .may be desired to use between the which Atoppand bottom of the rotor to break up the extent of each individual blade.

To reduce friction, due to pressure of the wind against the shield 16, there is al radial thrustbearing at 36; rlhe shield 16 is substantially ofthe form shown in my co-p'ending applications referred to, withthe exception that to coact with the particular forni of blades herein shown the edge at vthe inlet side of theV shield is preferably not turned outwardly.

It is found by experiment'with the form ofrotor herein described that a partial vacuum results behind theshield 16 and a reduced pressure of a less extentvin the space behind the portion of therotorinfront of 'whitxthesheld lstapfls V'llns phenomenon has made a modilieation ofthe delinetor element .LT :troni the torni shown in the former applieations desirable. As shown herein, the detleetor 1T isipret'erablvmade snbstailtialhY straight with its rear edge 237 turned at an angle to the ,straight port-ion thereof.

The delleetor is preferably made also somewhat less in extent that the `torms heretofore shown. ln addition to the "delico-tor 1T, there are .'hown vanos 3S, 39, which may be mounted upon rods all, -l-t extending trom the lower spinder 123 to the root element 1S. ll'ithout these latter reterredto vanos the vane 22 is refpiired to be of excessive size rith the torni ot" rotor herein describe-d;

As shown, the rotor is comprised ot `blades whieh are rformed of some lle 'ible material. as eanvas1 or pret'eral l ot flexible heet metal. The blades maybe supported by having one edge turned about vertical rods -tn n'iounted in the ends ot the spider arms 2S. and the other edgey turned about rods tt `mounted `in rings flo, Ltotop and bottom. A ring' indioatod also at art-T upon tte intermediate spider arin, and sueh a rinpT will be provided with each intermediate set ot spider arms where more than one sueh set is provided. The rings are shown as seein-ed to the spider arms, as by means ot' bolts iS., and a pluralityv ot holes 4:9 are Shown. life-shitting' the bolts t'roni one oi sueh holes to another the rinus may be rotated. to vary the amount of slaelein the blades; irs shown in Fig, the ends ot the spider arms 2T are eonneeted by a rod or ealile at). The use` oft this part is eptionrl and would depend to some extent upon the sitze ot' the structure and uilion the vele-'siti' ot the prevailing winds.

The action ot the `niverninoa apparatus is to Control the vane as well as the lubricatingsystem in the manner deseribed in the io-pendingapplieations referred to.

ln the operation ot' the device the curvature talten by the flexible blades` l2 will var v with the eliange oit their angle to the direetion ot the wind duriiur rotation oli the rotor` "When the wind :irst ilnpinnes against them the portion ot shortest radius will be adiaeent the rods tt This torniation will mutually varv until the position where the wind strikes the blaulesperpelnlieular le a `line drawn between their supportinel rods sinne the curvature taken will be f-nibstainially that ot o eeetion ot the ovliuder. rfoward the latter portion ot the aetion ot the wind upon the blaijlea `the portion with the rnlwatnre of short. M radinel will more toward the outer edge ot the blade. The notion of the blades therefore `analogous `to that 'of a well designed sail upon a beat .and `the `variation to the moet useful]eurvatuiefis .autom-atie with revelation '0f theireter lltoievr the partial `raeuum provided behind the `shield lo will result inthe portion of the revolution ot' the rotor whieh is not supplying1 powelgbeinfg made underjthe most advantageous conditions.

Minor changes may be made in, the physiral embodiment ot the invention without departing from its spirit.

I claim:

l. A windmill comprisinglr a vertical shaft, a rotor earried thereby eonlprising flexible blades mounted to vary their curvature, with the angle presented to the `wind duringr rotatiom said rotor having a elear annular passao'e about the axis within the inner edges oi said blades, and a shield to prevent notion ot' the wind upon blades n'iovingy counter to its direetion.`

A windmill eoniprisingr a 'vertical shaft, a rotor carried therein7 comprising flexible blades adapted to vary their curvature with the angle presented to the wind during' rota "on, means to vary the an'iount of slack in said blades, and a shield to prevent action ot the wind upon blades moving counter to its direet-ioii.

S. it windmill eonnirising,` in eornbination1 a vertical Shaft, a rotonearri-ed thereby7 tiexiljileblades mounted upon Said rotor so as to provide slank between the edges thereof and mounted to `vary their our y'ature durinnl rotation ot the rotor as the angle ot ineidenee ot the wind thereagainst varies said rotor havingl a elear annular passage about the axis within the inner edges of said blades, a shield to prevent aetion of the wind upon blades moving Counter to its direetion, and nieans to govern the position ot' the shield with relation to the direetion ot' the wind.

-.l-. A windmill eonin'irisinoT in eonibination, a vertical shaft? a rotor `carried thereby, `Flexible blades mounted upon said rotor so as to provide slael: between the edges thereof and mounted to varyy their curvature duringrotation ot` the rotor as the angle ot ineidenee of the wind thereagainst varies, said rotorluiving' a clear annular passage-about the axis within the inner edges ot said blades, a shield to" pre/vent aetion olithe wilnl upon blades moving.,r oounter to its direetion,` nieans to govern the position ol" the shield with relation tothe direction ot' thewilul and a detleetor to eontine the eurrent ol nir paroiruiV with the blades of the rotor.

o. windmill eomprieing? `in "combinationm a vertiealshatt, a rotor Carried therebymy flexible bladesmounted upon said rotor so to be slant; between the sitppiiirt'eii" er en` `and adapted to vitry `their.curvature with variation of the angleof "incidence of the wind thereagainst during rotation, a shield to prevent-notion of the `wind ononey side of `the rot-or d tiring. operation-thereof?. nieaiis to support said shield revolnble about saidiven tical shaft for movement independent of the rotor, a deflector carried by said means in fixed spaced relation to the shield, theV and adapted to vary their curvature with variation ofthe angle of incidence ofthe wind thereagainst during rotation, a shield to prevent action of the wind on one side of the rotor during operation thereof, means to support said shield revoluble about said vertical shaft for movement independent of the rotor, a deflector carried by said means in fixed spaced relation to the shield, the rear edge of said deiector extending at an angle to the plane th.ereof,vertical vanes also mounted upon said meansv to leeward of the rotor.

7. A windmill comprising a vertical shaft, a rotor carried thereby, fiexible blades mounted upon said rotor, each extending from the periphery thereof a portion only of the distance 4to the center, 'whereby to provide an open space in the central portion of the rotor to allow wind to spill from the inner edge of each blade and to act upon one or more blades during its course through the rotor, said blades varying in curvature with variation of the angle of incidence of the wind.

8. A windmill comprising a vertical shaft, a rotor carried thereby, flexible blades mounted upon the rotor, each extending,k

from the periphery thereof a portion only of the distance to the center thereof, whereby to provide anopen space `at the center of the rotor to cause wind passing through the rotor to act upon a plurality of blades in its passage, said blades varying in curvature with variation of the angle of incidence of the wind and a shield preventing action of the wind upon the blades moving counter to its direction.

9. A windmill comprising a vertical shaft, a rotor carried thereby comprising flexible blades, rigid vertical membersl secured to the vertical edges of said blades, the distance between said membersfbeing less than the horizontal extent of said blades,l the inner blade-supporting members spaced from said vertical shaft wherebyl to provide a clear annular passage about the axis within the inner edges of said blades, and a shield mountedto prevent action. of the wind upon blades moving counter to its direction.

10. A windmill comprising a verticaly shaft, a rotor carried thereby comprising pairs of vertical members arranged substantially radiallyy from said shaft, flexible blades having their vertical edges secured to said members, the horizontal extent of said blades being greater than the normal spacing between members of the pairs, means tov vary the spacing between said members wherebyto vary the slack in said blades, and a shield to prevent action'of the wind upon blades moving counter to its direction.`

1l. A windmill lcomprising a vertical shaft, a rotor carried thereby comprising pairs of vertical members arranged substanhaving their vertical edges secured to said members, the horizontal extent of saidl blades being greater than the normal spacing between members of the pairs, means to Vary the spacing between said members whereby to vary the slack in said blades, a shield to vprevent action of the wind upon blades moving counter to its direction, and

p means to govern the position of the shield with relation to the direction of the wind to more or less shield also the blades moving in the direction of the wind. n

l JAMES T. RYAN.

tially radially from said shaft, flexible blades 

